Building a Culture of Learning and Leadership

The myriad of opportunities afforded throughout the Northside Hospital
system provides a structured path for the professional nurse seeking to
become a nurse leader. Whether for personal or professional growth,
Northside encourages and assists these individuals through a culture of
learning and leadership development. These growth opportunities,
in turn, create a dynamic workforce that is committed to the highest
level of clinical practice; thereby, promoting an optimal environment
for caring and healing for our patients, and a professional environment
for the nurse to participate.

Clinical Advancement Program

The Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) is a voluntary incentive program
designed to recognize and reward RNs and LPNs who consistently strive
for excellence in patient care while demonstrating true leadership at
the bedside. CAP criteria for each level was carefully selected to
promote advanced education and achievement among nurses who choose to
focus their professional career on providing direct patient care. There
are four distinct levels to the program, with the first two levels
encouraging unit-based initiatives and basic leadership development,
while the top two levels encourage more advanced leadership development
with such activities as mentoring, precepting, and involvement in staff
education. For those individuals in nursing leadership positions, there
are separate criteria and leadership skills that can be developed
through their clinician and clinical supervisor level CAP program.

Shared Governance

Nursing Shared Governance was created at Northside in 1997 as a model
for shared decision-making between professional staff and leadership. It
provides an excellent opportunity for clinical nurses to work with
leadership at all levels to improve nursing practice and influence work
environments, to grow personally and professionally, and to connect with
colleagues across the organization. The impact of Shared Governance goes
far beyond the specific projects and initiatives developed and
implemented by council members. As elected representatives of their
peers, Shared Governance members are frequently asked to serve in an
advisory role to address the impact of organization-wide initiatives on
nursing. Members are often called upon to provide input on new programs
under consideration by various administration departments and to advise
on the most effective way to roll-out initiatives across all patient
care areas. All of these activities help to enhance nursing at
Northside. Shared Governance is about professional nursing staff and
leadership partnering to facilitate shared decision-making and improve
clinical outcomes.

Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) Department

Northside's Learning & Organizational Development Department is
committed to providing employees with the right developmental
opportunities at the right times and enhancing their competencies
throughout the various stages of their careers. Courses cover topics
ranging from time management to critical thinking to communication.
Whether you are looking to improve your basic computer skills or learn
the art and science of leadership, the LOD department has something to
offer you. LOD Trainers are also available to provide customized
education sessions for leadership teams and department staff.

Specialty Internships

Northside's formal internship programs are designed to meet the needs of
both the newly graduated nurse and the experienced nurse moving to a new
specialty. Through a combination of classroom education and precepted
clinical experiences, Nurse interns gain the skills and confidence
needed to care for a specialized patient population.

Internship programs are overseen by Clinical Nurse Specialists and
dedicated unit based Clinicians committed to providing individualized
training and support. Each Nurse comes to an internship program with
different strengths and areas for development. We customize your
education to make you the best Nurse you can be.

By building a strong foundation of fundamental clinical and critical
thinking skills, our Interns complete their programs prepared to serve
as "leaders at the bedside". Northside's ongoing professional
development opportunities build upon this foundation to ensure
that you achieve your goals - whether your future lies in hands-on
care, leadership or education.

Internship programs vary in length based on clinical specialty and begin
several times though-out the year.

Organizational Partnerships

Through Northside Hospital's partnership with other professional
organizations, we are able to assist our staff in seeking out other
avenues for leadership development. Such organizations as Georgia
Hospital Association (GHA) provide workshops and regional and state
councils for nurses, such as the GHA staff nurse council, various Telnet
conferences, and Webinars. Another organization that Northside Hospital
works closely with is The Advisory Board. Northside hosts several onsite
Advisory Board seminars for the management staff on an annual basis, as
well as encourages staff to enroll online in the Nursing Leadership
Academy Recognition Program. Through this program, nursing leadership
enroll online in a variety of leadership classes towards certificate
programs at the Associate, Masters and Laureate levels.